Avoid cancer research cuts

The March 1 mandatory cuts in federal funding for medical research could reverse progress in the fight against cancer, and leave new breakthroughs to languish in the labs. Lawmakers should act to avoid these indiscriminate cuts, and make the fight to defeat a disease that still kills 1,500 people a day in this country a national priority.

For decades, research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Center has played a role in every major advance in cancer prevention, detection and treatment, while also delivering scientific breakthroughs for many other diseases. But, resting on past progress is a dangerous proposition with 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Investment in cancer research is also a tremendous driver in the American economy - supporting nearly 433,000 jobs in every state at universities and cancer centers across the country. In fiscal year 2011, Mississippi received $33.9 million in NIH grant awards which supported 1,191 jobs.

There are 13.7 million cancer survivors alive today, including me, thanks to advances in early detection tests that can detect cancer when it's easier to treat and survive, and treatments that attack only cancer cells, rather than attacking a patient's healthy cells as well.

I urge Congress to work together to avoid a mindless cut, and sustain federal funding for research in a way that will leverage past progress and spur future discovery.

Jane Streets

Volunteer, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Brandon

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Avoid cancer research cuts

The March 1 mandatory cuts in federal funding for medical research could reverse progress in the fight against cancer, and leave new breakthroughs to languish in the labs.